UNC stops slide, edges Cavs

For the first time in weeks, players on North Carolina men's soccer team were smiling after their 2-1 win against No. 12 Virginia.

UNC, which only got its second win of the season, came into its ACC opener on the heels of squandering a 2-0 lead against Old Dominion on Tuesday in Norfolk.

But the complexion of the Tar Heels' season did an about-face with the win against Virginia (5-2, 1-1 in the ACC), the reigning ACC champions.

The Cavaliers' only previous loss was to then-No. 8 St. Louis on Sept. 12.

Tar Heel goals by sophomore midfielder Michael Harrington and midfielder Adam Sloustcher put the Cavaliers away.

Both goals had their points of interest: Harrington's goal was knocked in by a Cavalier defenseman, and Sloustcher - a freshman who receives a significant amount of playing time - scored the game-winner, the first goal of his Tar Heel career.

The Tar Heels (2-3-2, 1-0) started out blazing, with Harrington's goal coming nine minutes into the game.

Forward Marcus Storey rushed past Cavalier defenders and centered the ball to Harrington.

Harrington deflected the shot toward the goal, but a sliding UVa. defender knocked it into the far side of the net.

The game was back and forth, characterized by physical play and few offensive chances for either team.

Sloustcher's goal about halfway through the second half changed that trend and broke the tie.

Sloustcher ecstatically ran toward the stands while pumping his fist after slamming home a play set up by defenseman Tim Merritt.

"We knew today was the day," Sloustcher said. "We knew (the win) was coming, and we know what we have."

That was the sentiment among many of the Tar Heels even before the game. They insisted that they knew they were better than their record and that a win against a high-quality opponent was only a matter of time.

UVa. coach George Gelnovatch agreed.

"It looked exactly the way I thought it would," he said. "I don't care what you're ranked. I don't think there's a team in the ACC that can't win."

The Tar Heels also managed to overcome two key injuries. Midfielder Chris Germani, who normally starts, was out because he turned his knee during practice.

Germani was on crutches during the game and will have an MRI next week to determine his status for the rest of the season.

Senior captain Ray Fumo was in the hospital during the game.

North Carolina coach Elmar Bolowich said doctors don't know exactly what is wrong with him yet, but he was severely dehydrated and had to receive intravenous fluids.

But the Tar Heels overcame those obstacles with a win that Bolowich attributed to better decision making.

"It was nice to have a win where we can lead and then hold on to the lead," he said.

The Tar Heels continue their rigorous ACC schedule, which includes No. 2 Maryland and No. 22 Duke coming up in their next four games.

"We had a disappointing start," said forward Jamie Watson. "That's disheartening. We were at rock-bottom, and now we're trying to build our way up."

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.